Patentable/Patents/US-9684400
US-9684400

Capacitive sensing detection method for an active pixel matrix

PublishedJune 20, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

The present invention provides a capacitive sensing detection method for an active pixel matrix. The method comprises to select a first sensing region in the active pixel matrix. Then, a first signal is transferred to the first sensing region. Next, a second sensing region is selected. A second signal is transferred to the second sensing region for sensing. Finally, a change of the first signal and the second signal is detected and calculated to determine a position.

Patent Claims
15 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A capacitive sensing detection method of an active matrix, wherein a plurality of data arranged in parallel to each other in a first direction cross a plurality of scan lines arranged in parallel to each other in a second direction to form the active pixel matrix, comprising: determining a position in the first direction of a touch, further comprising: arranging the active pixel matrix into a plurality of first sensing regions and a plurality of second sensing regions, wherein the first sensing regions and the second sensing regions are alternately arranged along the first direction; sequentially selecting the first sensing regions and the second sensing regions by the scan lines, wherein when one of the first sensing regions controlled by a first scan line is selected by the first scan line, a first signal is transferred to the one of the first sensing regions through all the data lines, and wherein when one of the second sensing regions controlled by a second scan line is selected by the second scan line, a capacitance of the one of the second sensing regions is sensed through all the data lines; and detecting a change of charges on the one of the second sensing regions in response to the first signal to determine the position in the first direction of the touch, determining a position in the second direction of the touch, further comprising: arranging the active pixel matrix into a plurality of third sensing regions and a plurality of fourth sensing regions, wherein the third sensing regions and the fourth sensing regions are alternately arranged along the second direction; sequentially selecting the third sensing regions and the fourth sensing regions by the scan lines, wherein when one of the third sensing regions coupled to a first data line is selected, a second signal is transferred to the one of the third sensing regions through the first data line, and wherein when one of the fourth sensing regions coupled to a second data line is selected, a capacitance of the one of the fourth sensing regions is sensed through the second data line; and detecting a change of charges on the one of the fourth sensing regions in response to the second signal to determine the position in the second direction of the touch.

Plain English Translation

A capacitive touch sensing method for an active pixel matrix (like in a display) where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming the pixel grid. The method determines the touch position in two directions. For one direction, the matrix is divided into alternating first and second sensing regions along the first direction. Scan lines sequentially select these regions. When a first region is selected, a signal is sent through all data lines to it. When a second region is selected, its capacitance is sensed through all data lines. Changes in charge in the second region, due to the signal in the first region, determine the touch position in that direction. The process repeats in the other direction, using third and fourth sensing regions, selected by scan lines, and signals sent through the appropriate data lines to determine the touch position in that direction.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , wherein the first sensing region comprises a pixel, a pixel segment, a conductive line or a plurality of conductive lines.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. The first sensing region from the main method comprises a pixel, a pixel segment, a conductive line, or multiple conductive lines. This means the area receiving the signal in the initial step of detecting a touch can be a single pixel, part of a pixel, or some wiring.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , wherein the second sensing region comprises a pixel, a pixel segment, a conductive line or a plurality of conductive lines.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. The second sensing region from the main method comprises a pixel, a pixel segment, a conductive line, or multiple conductive lines. This means the area whose capacitance is sensed to detect a touch can be a single pixel, part of a pixel, or some wiring.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , wherein the second sensing region overlaps the first sensing region, or the second sensing region is adjacent the first sensing region, or the second sensing region separates from the first sensing region.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. The first and second sensing regions from the main method (the signal sending and capacitance sensing regions) can overlap, be adjacent, or be separated from each other. These alternative configurations provide different capacitive coupling characteristics.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , further comprising transferring a pulse signal or a high-level voltage signal to the first sensing region before transferring a first signal to the first sensing region.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. A pulse signal or a high-level voltage signal is sent to the first sensing region before the main signal is sent. This might be used to pre-charge the region or improve the signal characteristics.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , further comprising transferring a pulse signal or a high-level voltage signal to the second sensing region before sensing the first signal in the second sensing region.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. A pulse signal or a high-level voltage signal is sent to the second sensing region before its capacitance is sensed. This might be used to pre-charge the region or improve the signal characteristics before measuring capacitance.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , further comprising discharging the first sensing region before transferring a first signal to the first sensing region.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. The first sensing region is discharged before the main signal is sent to it. This ensures a known initial state for more accurate capacitive sensing.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , further comprising discharging the second sensing region before sensing the first signal in the second sensing region.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix. The second sensing region is discharged before its capacitance is sensed. This ensures a known initial state for more accurate capacitive sensing.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 , wherein the active pixel matrix is disposed in a display.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen. This means the touch sensing capability is integrated into a standard display.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 9 , wherein the display is an Organic Light Emitting Display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an Electrode Wetting display, an electrophoretic display, a Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) display or an optical mode interference MEMS display.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen. The display is one of these types: Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), Electrode Wetting display, electrophoretic display, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) display or optical mode interference MEMS display.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 9 , wherein the display further comprises a backlight module, wherein the capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 is performed when the backlight module is turned off.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen which also has a backlight. The touch sensing method is performed when the backlight is turned off. This prevents interference from the backlight during sensing.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 9 , wherein the display further comprises a front light module, wherein the capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 is performed when the front light module is turned off.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen which also has a front light. The touch sensing method is performed when the front light is turned off. This prevents interference from the front light during sensing.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 9 , wherein the display further comprises a backlight module, wherein the capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 is performed in a region of the active pixel matrix that is not lighted by the backlight module.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen which also has a backlight. The touch sensing method is performed only in the regions of the active pixel matrix that are not currently illuminated by the backlight. This allows simultaneous display and touch sensing.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The capacitive sensing detection method of claim 9 , wherein the display further comprises a front light module, wherein the capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 is performed in a region of the active pixel matrix that is not lighted by the front light module.

Plain English Translation

The capacitive touch sensing method where data lines run one way and scan lines run perpendicularly, forming an active pixel matrix is implemented within a display screen which also has a front light. The touch sensing method is performed only in the regions of the active pixel matrix that are not currently illuminated by the front light. This allows simultaneous display and touch sensing.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. An integrated circuit is disposed in an active pixel matrix for performing the capacitive sensing detection method of claim 1 .

Plain English Translation

An integrated circuit (IC) is included within an active pixel matrix to perform the touch sensing method. The IC contains the necessary circuitry to send signals to sensing regions, measure capacitance changes, and determine the touch location, as described in the main touch sensing method.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

April 29, 2013

Publication Date

June 20, 2017

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